Brief case construction



Feb. 20, 1962 s. KANNER E TAL 3,021,883 BRIEF CASE CONSTRUCTION Filed Jan. 9; 1961 3,021,883 Patented Feb. 20, 1962 3,021,383 BRIEF CASE CONSTRUCTIGN Seymour Kanner, Brooklyn, and Ben Sonlrin, Yonkers, N31, nssignors to Kanner Leather Goods Corp, New York, N.Y., a corporation of New York Fiied Jan. 9, 19551., Ser. No. 81,581 4 illairns. (Ci. 1501.6)

This invention relates generally to the field of luggage, and more particularly to an improved locking flap construction suitable especially for use in conjunction with brief cases and other types of luggage using a hinged metallic frame defining an upper opening. While I have chosen to illustrate the invention as embodied in a typical gusset type brief case, it will be readily understood by those skilled in the art to which the invention relates that the inventive concept may also be incorporated into such articles as club bags, satchels and the like.

The construction of the conventional brief case is, at the preseent state of the art, relatively standardized, most variations involving only the choice of non-metallic, planar materials which are attached to the frame element, and varying degrees of quality which depend upon the price at which the device is to be sold. In the traditional brief case, a locking flap is usually provided, one edge of which is secured to one side of the hinged frame, and the other side of which is interconnected through locking hasp means to the outer surface of one of the side panels. When the device is carried, tension is transmitted through the locking flap to result in maintaining the folding frame in a relatively closed position. As the fiap is subjected to considerably more fiexure and stress than the remaining parts of the bag, and this stress is concentrated in a relatively small area, it is normally the first part of the device to succumb to ripping, cracking and/or tearing, to a degree that it is usually necessary to discard the device a though the remaining parts are still in serviceable condition.

Another disadvantage has been encountered in the traditional construction in that it is necessary to sew the inner end of the flap into the binding of the brief case at the time the device is assembled, the stitching creat ing a line of inherent weakness along which ultimate tearing occurs. This interconnection forces a relatively small number of stitches to sustain a much greater side stress than is the case in the remaining stitches comprising the device, so that in the event that the flap does not tear, very often the threads forming the stitching interconnecting the flap to the device give way, again with the result that either. expensive repair must be per-- formed or the device discarded.

The threaded interconnection of the flap with the material bordering the hinged frame also makes for difliculty in assembly, as it is necessary for the workman to support several parts in alignment while the stitching operation is performed, thus adding materially to the cost of fabrication of the brief case.

It is therefore among the principal objects of the present invention to provide an improved brief case construction in which the above-mentioned disadvantages have been substantially eliminated.

Another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved brief case construction in which the stress normally transmitted from the locking flap to a relatively few number of stitched threads is completely eliminated, the stress being transmitted instead to the handle elements through positive interconnection.

A further object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved locking flap construction for use in conjunction with brief cases in which the flap may be formed from a material well adapted to resist the deleterious effect of bending, stretching and the like encountered in normal usage, whereby the same may have a life expectancy at least as long as the remaining components of the brief case.

Still another object of the invention lies in the provision of an improved brief case construction in which the cost of fabrication may be of a reasonably low order,"

favorably comparing with constructions now known in the art, with consequent wide sale, distribution and use.

A feature of the invention lies in the provision for replacement of the flap element without the use of other than ordinary skill, in the event that the same should become unserviceable during the useful life of the brief case.

These objects and features, as well as other incidental ends and advantages, will more fully appear in the progress of the following disclosure and be pointed out in the appended claims.

In the drawing, to which reference will be made in the specification, similar reference characters have been employed to designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

FIGURE 1 is a view in perspective of an embodiment of the invention.

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary view in perspective of the embodiment, showing certain of the component parts in altered relative position.

FIGURE 3 is a plan view of the flap element comprising a part of the embodiment.

FIGURE 4 is an end elevational element.

FIGURE 5 is a bottom plan view'of the flap element.

FIGURE 6 is an offset vertical sectional view of the flap element as seen from the planes 6-6 in FIGURE 3.

FIGURE 7 is an enlarged fragmentary view in elevation, partly in section, showing the upper portion of FIG- URE 1.

FIGURE 8 is a similar fragmentary exploded view in view of the flap elevation, showing an alternate form of the embodiment.

In accordance with the invention, the device, generally indicated by reference character 10, is illustrated as a letter size brief case of conventional proportions, andcomprising: a front panel element 11, a rear panel element 12, a covered frame element 13, a gusset element 14, the elements 1114 being interconnected by stitch means (not shown).

Secured to the frame element 13 are first and second post elements 15 and 16, respectively, each including a base member 17 and upstanding post portions 18. The post portions of each base member 17 areintercon-v nected by a generally horizontally disposed pintle 19 which in turn engages a handle element 20, the end portions 21 and 22 of which are provided with corresponding bores 23. Mounted upon the inner portion of the frame element 13 is a conventional finger-engaging tab 24.

As best seen in FIGURE 3, the locking flap element 26 is preferably formed from heavy synthetic resinous flexible planar stock, as opposed to the leather construction used in the prior art. It includes a main body portion 27 and leg portions 28 and 29. A conventional lock hasp portion 30 is selectively engageable with a lock element 31 on the outer surface 32 of the front panel element 11.

The main body portion 27 is bounded by an inner edge 34, an outer edge 35 as well as side edges 36 and 37, and inner and outer surfaces 38 and 39, respectively. The leg portions 28 and 29 are generally similar and symmetrical, and are formed integrally with the main body portion 27 at the corner areas 41 and 42. Each of the leg portions 28-29 is bounded by outer and inner side edges 44 and 45, there being an elongated slot 46 disposed between the inner and outer edges of each leg enemas portion 28-29, the slots 46 being mutually parallel and spaced apart from each other a distance corresponding to the inwardly disposed post portions 18 of each of the post elements 15 and 16. Y Y

The flap element 26 is engaged upon the frame element 13 by the engagement of the slots 46 upon the corresponding post portions 18 as best seen in FIGURES 1, 2 and 7. Thus, lifting stresses are transmitted directly from the post elements 15 and 16, and not from the stitching which interconnects the rear panel element 12 with the frame element 13. When the device 19 is in opened condition (not shown), the flap element 26 may be moved relative to the post elements 15 and 16 Within the limits of the length of the slots 46 to provide adequate clearance for loading or unloading the device without the necessity of excessively bending the flap element, thus permitting the flap element to be formed of relatively heavier material, and avoiding the necessity of crystallizing the material through repeated bending movements.

In the alternate form of the invention, shown in FIG- URE 8, the parts corresponding to those of the principal form have been designated by similar reference characters with the additional prefix 1. The alternate form differs from the principal form in the substitution of bolt members 51 and, nut members 50 for the staked pintles 19 of the principal form, thus permitting ready replacement of the flap element 127 by merely unthreading the members 5051 as shown.

We wish it to be understood that we do not consider the invention limited to the precise details of structure shown and set forth in this specification, for obvious modifications will occur to those skilled in the art to which the invention pertains.

We claim:

1. In an article of luggage having a hinged frame, a pair of panel elements attached to portions of said frame, and a gusset element interconnecting said panel elements, said frame having a pair of post elements attached thereto and a handle element associated with said post elements, an improved locking flap comprising: a main body portion and a pair of leg portions, said main body portion including an outwardly disposed edge having lock hasp means thereon and an inner edge, said leg portions being interconnected to said main body portion at opposite ends of said inner edge and being disposed in mutually parallel relation, therebeingan elongated slot extending axially along each of said leg portions, said" slots. being laterally spaced a distance corresponding to the distance between said pair of post elements and disposed upon said post elements.

2. In an article of luggage having a hinged: frame, a pair of panel elements attached to portions of said frame, and a gusset element interconnecting said panel elements, said frame having a pair of post elements attached thereto and a handle element associated with said post elements, an improved locking flap comprising: a main body portion and a pair of leg portions, said main body portion including an outwardly disposed edge having lock hasp means thereon and an inner edge, said leg portions being interconnected to said main body portion at opposite ends of said inner edge and being disposed in mutually parallel relation, there being an elongated slot extending axially along each of said leg portions, said slots being laterally spaced a distance corresponding to the distance between said pair of post elements and disposed upon said post elements, said flap element being formed entirely from synthetic resinous materials.

3. In an article of luggage having a hinged frame, a pair of panel elements attached to portions of said frame, and a gusset element interconnecting said panel elements, said frame having a pair of post elements attached thereto and a locking flap selectively interconnecting said panel elements, the improvement comprising: said locking flap including a main body portion and a pair of leg portions, said main body portion including an outwardly disposed edge having lock hasp means thereon and an inner edge, said leg portions being interconnected to said main portion at opposite ends of said inner edge, said leg portions being disposed in mutually parallel relation, there being an elongated slot extending axially along each of said leg portions, said slots being laterally spaced a distance corresponding to the distance between said pair of post elements, said post elements hav dug means for detachably mounting said leg portions thereon beneath said handle element.

4. In an article of luggage having a hinged frame, a pair of panel elements attached to portions of said frame, and a gusset element interconnecting said panel elements, said frame having a pair of post elements attached thereto and a handle element associated with said post elements, an improved locking flap comprising: a main body portion and a pair of leg portions, said main body portion including an outwardly disposed edge having look hasp means thereon and an inner edge, said leg portions being interconnected to said main body portion at said inner edge and being disposed in substantially parallel relation, there being an elongated slot extending axially along each of said leg portions, said slots being. laterally spaced at distance corresponding to the distance between said pair of post elements and disposed upon said post elements.

Klehr May 3, 1955 Perlin Nov. 11, 1958 

